Letter from ParIiament - Paul Rowen MP

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Letter from ParIiament - Paul Rowen MP

I'd like to begin my letter from Parliament by wishing Sir Cyril Smith a very happy 80th birthday. Over the past week a large number of parliamentarians from all political parties have asked me to pass on their best wishes for his birthday.

In more ways than one Cyril has been a giant of a man who is respected for his plain speaking and his love of Rochdale. We have been very lucky to have an MP like him and I know there are hundreds of Rochdalians who owe him a debt of gratitude.

On Saturday night we have a concert at the Town Hall in aid of Rochdale Childer with the Debrose Choir, Rochdale Youth Orchestra and Band and Jimmy Cricket.

I'd like to pay a special thanks to Derek Wiggett who has done much of the work putting the concert together. All proceeds go to Rochdale Childer, a charity he helped set up so it promises to be a very special do!

Last week I led a delegation to Germany as Chairman of the All Party Light Rail Group to look at tram/trains. These are hybrid vehicles which can travel on both heavy and light rail. After a meeting with the German Rail Minister at the Bundastag (Parliament) we travelled to Kassel to look at the systems. They offer exciting possibilities and could for example to used on the Rawenstall - Bury - Rochdale line once Metrolink comes to Rochdale. The Department of Transport has agreed a trial in Sheffield and I am keen to get them to agree a second trial in Greater Manchester. Getting through trains from Rawentstall via Heywood would have exciting possibilities.

Following this I travelled up to Gateshead to speak at the TUC Northern Pensions Conference. Like many people they are concerned at the governments failure to increase the state pension to an adequate level. In 1908 when the state pension was first introduced 1.4 million people were classed as paupers. Today over 2.2 million pensioners are officially living below the poverty line! I outlined my parties policy of having a Citizens Pension payable without any means testing for all pensions.

Over the weekend I attended the open day at the Neeli Mosque, Durham Street. They put on a very interesting exhibition about Islam and its contribution to society.

On Sunday I presented trophies for a five-a-side football competition at Springhill Sports Hall.

I delayed my return to London on Monday to attend a save Buersil Post Office meeting at St. Mary's. Over 100 people attended and the meeting was excellently chaired by Councillor Dale Mulgrew. A further meeting at Spotland Community Centre will be held on Friday night, though I will have to miss that as I will be showing a group of students from Oulder Hill around Parliament - Alison Whittaker from the school organises this every year and it is good to be able to show students the work of Parliament.

Tuesday of this week was the annual National Prayer Breakfast held in Westminster Hall. Over 600 people from around the country attended this. Last year it was organised by Jim Dobbin.

Also this week I had a meeting with Simon Lord from St. Clements Football Club, together with Councillors Jane Garside and William Hobhouse, to discuss the damage caused by the travellers and what we can do to prevent this type of thing happening in future. Local clubs and community organisations like St Clements simply cannot afford the damage and destruction which these intrusions cause. We agreed a report should go to the Rochdale Township about this issue.

Next week I travel to Astana in Kazakhstan for the annual meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe of which I am a member.

It's a busy time but it is always a privilege to give you an insight into my job and activities as your MP.